Gemological Testing Laboratory

Quality Assurance maintains a complete, modern gemological testing laboratory at the Exchange Specialized Distribution Center (SPDC), located in Dallas, TX. Highly trained gemologists inspect fine jewelry shipments for overall merchandise quality, verifying conformance to specified requirements in many different categories including, but not limited to, stone quality, precious metal weights and contents, workmanship, and merchandise tagging. Adherence to requirements set forth by the Federal Trade Commission, such as hallmark and karatage stamping is verified as well.

In order to ensure that only top quality merchandise reaches our customers, all incoming fine jewelry shipments received and / or stored in the SPDC are inspected 100%. Inspection reports are generated and findings are noted and stored in an electronic database by supplier. Customer-owned merchandise submitted for repair, refund, or trade-up is also inspected similarly to new incoming shipments.

The Exchange QA Gemologists are an integral part of the procurement process, and also play a large role in asset recovery. They provide guidance to the jewelry buying team and senior management with regard to product quality and pricing, as well as the development of jewelry-related policies and procedures. QA Gemologists also perform In-plant inspections within various jewelry manufacturer facilities to confirm that The Exchange quality standards and requirements are being met.

Fine jewelry items are made to exact specifications, which are closely defined on each item’s unique Jewelry Cost Analysis Proposal Worksheet (JCAP). QA Gemologists use the JCAP when performing fine jewelry inspections to ensure that delivered merchandise meets all the specifications previously agreed upon by the buyer and the supplier. Jewelry Specifications are available to current and prospective The Exchange suppliers of jewelry. The Exchange also has specifications for mountings and chains, stamping, and tagging.